Mayor, councillor clash during discussion about Calgary's social procurement program
Half a decade after it was pitched at city council, Calgary's strategy to partially evaluate suppliers on social policies is leading to a majority of contracts going to small or medium-sized businesses or groups that have diverse representation.
A report to a city committee Thursday showed the city purchases about $725 million of goods and services each year and 53 per cent of the contracts awarded in 2022 went to suppliers with the highest "social procurement score."
The policy, which was first presented in 2018, means the city doesn't just evaluate suppliers on cost and quality -- it also looks at whether a supplier has LGBTQ2S+, newcomer or racialized representation in its organization.
"Simply put, if a business meets the requirements for price and quality, its ability to receive additional points through the social procurement questionnaire could provide the advantage needed to win a competitive bid," reads administration's report to committee, in part.
Officials are now focusing on developing an Indigenous procurement strategy to be incorporated.
In questioning administration about the policy, Mayor Jyoti Gondek and Coun. Dan McLean sparred over comments the Ward 13 representative made about a bid process he was involved in 13 years ago.
"I was bidding on the Olympic bid for providing golf and utility vehicles in 2010. Lots of people competing against. They asked me if I had an Indigenous component and program. My daughter's boyfriend was a First Nations guy. So, I tick 'Yes.' What's your recycling program? What's your environmental impact? And you know, I took my bottles and I could (tick) 'Yes,'" McLean said.
"I mean, people can just tick the boxes and say a little story. I mean, is that where we're going? Is that where we're at?"
Gondek later referred back to the councillor's comments.
"I also need to point out that we just had a member of council openly admit that he scammed the system on a bid," Gondek said while McLean tried to respond.
"He openly admitted in public that he checked off boxes that shouldn't have been checked off," she said.
McLean countered that he did have Indigenous and recycling programs and nothing he did was illegal or a scam. He says he used the example to make a point about concerns he has about the effectiveness and efficiency of the program.
"I would just say that it was miscommunicated by the mayor. I did not say (that I scammed the system). A lot of people are worried about government programs that are put forth that people do look at as a ticking-the-box exercise," McLean told reporters later.
Administration told councillors there was no cost increase caused by the social procurement policy, but it allows the city to purchase with intent to add "positive impacts in social equity, economic growth and climate resiliency."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city, marking the first franchise in Canada
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Federal government bans watercraft from Manitoba lake popular with tourists
The threat of zebra mussels has prompted the federal government to temporarily ban watercraft from a Manitoba lake popular with tourists.
Her SUV was stolen in Montreal. A Good Samaritan on Facebook helped her get it back
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.